Halloween at OCMA- Fun and Free!

Halloween is almost here and I wanted to share with you a fun Halloween Event in Orange County. The Orange County Museum of Art will offer Free Admission. Families are invited to come in costume and take part in some fun trick or treating, art hunts through the galleries and take a tour of the museum's newest exhibit, Carlos Morales:Discarded Spider. Halloween at OCMA will take place on Saturday, October 31st from 3pm to 5pm. For additional info head here. OCMA 850 San Clemente Drive Newport Beach

Sea Scare and Sea Fair at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium- Fun and FREE Events

I know it's only Tuesday but I wanted to share with you two very fun events happening at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro on Sunday, October 18th and Saturday, October 24th. Sea Fair is happening on Sunday October 18th from 10am to 4:30pm. Sea Fair offers ocean-related activities for every age, which include; face-painting, an exciting marine life puppet show, and a giant origami demonstration. Adventurous pirates of all ages can join in the search for buried treasure in the “Great Treasure Hunt.” Stop by and chat with more than two dozen marine-related organizations that will be present to share their information and activities with your family. Sea Scare is happening on Saturday, October 24 from 6pm to 9pm. Have your kiddos come in costume for trick-or-treating throughout the aquarium at six different themed treat stations, or walk along the docks of the “Port Town” scare zone. This is an incredibly fun event and the best part is that it's FREE. All you have to do is pay for parking! Parking is $1 an hour- bring a few dollars and enjoy the aquarium. We love the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium. It's a great place for the kiddos and it's absolutely free! To read about our experience at the aquarium read here. To learn more about both events head here.

Disney Sunday : Mickey's Trick or Treat Party at Disney's California Adventure

We had a blast at Mickey's Trick or Treat Party at Disney's California Adventure last Friday night. This annual, special ticketed event happens throughout October on the following nights: 8, 9, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30 and 31. This unique party lets adults and children alike dress up and trick-or-treat inside DCA. The kids loved getting to pick up candy at 25 Treat Stops located throughout the park. There was some terrific candy, including Ghirardelli chocolate! There was also healthy treats like apple slices and Craisins to be had. My daughter was fond of the princess photo locations, while my son seemed to favor the Disney villains. The kids rocked out at Candy Corn Acres just inside the Sun Plaza, where they were able to dance to all the top 40 hits. The Pacific Wharf area became Pirate’s Wharf, which featured a photo location, craft area and games. The Hollywood Pictures Backlot also had dancing and characters to meet. All the favorite rides and attractions were also open for the event which ran from 6:30 PM to 10:30 PM. Tickets purchased in advance are $32 most days, while tickets purchased on the event day are $39. For Oct. 30 and 31, all tickets are $42. If you are an annual passholder you can purchase tickets for $26. Special Passholder Discount are available for these Dates: October 8, 15, 21, 22, 28 And don't forget that now through Dec. 19, 2009, you can save $400 when you book a 4-Day/4-Night Disneyland Resort vacation package, featuring either Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Disneyland Hotel or Disney’s Paradise Pier. Each of theses packages includes four-day park hopper tickets and includes one Magic Morning admission per person. Mickey's Trick or Treat Party tickets must be purchased separately.

Fun for all! (note: this is not our family!)

Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch and Giveaway

Happy Sunday! I still can't get over the fact that is summer almost a thing of the past and that fall is here (it doesn't feel that way with this weather), that is until this weekend. My family had the opportunity to visit the Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch this weekend and we had such a great time. We are big fans of the Irvine Park Railroad and love their seasonal events! I have to say that the pumpkin patch is my absolute favorite event. Every single member of my family had fun this weekend. Admission to the pumpkin patch is free (you do however have to pay an admission fee to enter the park $3-$5, although we didn't pay a fee because we arrived around 4pm). One of my favorite things about this pumpkin patch are the very reasonable price for pumpkins and activities. You can find a pumpkin to fit your budget, from $3 for a smaller pumpkin to $22 for a super duper large one. It's also the perfect place to take Halloween pictures and also spend quality time as a family. We stayed until closing and had such a good time. We went on a hay ride, walked through a giant hay maze, toured a haunted house, the kiddos took part in the John Deere tractor races and finally no visit is complete to Irvine Park without a train ride. We had so much fun and I promise that you will too. The best part is that admission to the pumpkin patch is free as well as touring the Haunted House, Hay Maze and dozens of cute picture stands. The patch also features carnival games, face painting and so much more! The Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch runs from September 19th to November 1st. It's open 7 days a week from 10am to 5pm on weekdays and 10am to 6pm on weekends. Pack a picnic and head down soon before the crowds arrive. I recommend heading there early in the day or late in the afternoon to avoid crowds. Irvine Park Railroad has graciously offered a 15 pack of tickets for one lucky family to enjoy at the pumpkin patch. It's a $60 value and sure to make your visit to the patch extra special. To enter all you have to do is leave a comment under this post. You have until next Saturday night to enter. Good luck and head to Irvine Park Railroad for a fantastic time. Almost forgot, I extended the Zula Patrol giveaway until next Friday. You still have time to enter if you have not already done so! Irvine Park Railroad Irvine Park

1 Irvine Park Rd.

Orange, CA 92869

Additional info

Kidspace Pumpkin Festival

Are you looking for something free, fun and in the spirit of Halloween? Then check out the 14th annual Kidspace Pumpkin Festival. The festival celebrates autumn by sparking the imaginations of visitors of all ages. Children can sing and dance to music and live performances, run through a pumpkin patch or enjoy a costume parade. Enjoy one or two days of fun performances, activities and fun taking place in Brookside Park in Pasadena. There will be carnival games, crafts, bouncers, face painting and more. Saturday &Sunday October 25th and 26th 9:30am to 5:30pm Admission is free The Kidspace Pumpkin festival will be held at Brookside Park 480 N Arroyo Blvd Pasadena-near the Rose Bowl Free Parking is available in Rose Bowl Lot 1 Overflow parking in lots F and K For additional event details click here

Scarium of the Pacific and Free Shark Lagoon nights

Discover the creatures lurking in the depths of Pacific at the Scarium of the Pacific, a spooktacular yet educational Halloween event for the whole family. Enjoy special Halloween programs including a costume contest for kids, a creepy coloring contest, magic shows, spooky storytelling, kooky crafts, eerie animals in the Great Hall and much more. Free with admission on a side note Shark Lagoon Friday nights are back on. The public is invited to get up close with the ocean’s ultimate predators at the Aquarium of the Pacific for FREE during Shark Lagoon Nights. Guests will have the opportunity to touch bamboo sharks and see large sharks such as sandtigers as well as rays in the Aquarium’s Shark Lagoon. Shark Lagoon nights will be held every Friday night from 6-9pm for additional info click here Aquarium of the Pacific 100 Aquarium Way Long Beach, CA 90802

Haute Dog Howl'een Parade, Costume Contest in Long Beach

If you're looking for something one of a kind and perfect for the Halloween season - make sure to check out the Haute Dog Howl'een parade contest at Livingston Park in Long Beach on Sunday the 26th. The parade takes place along 1o city blocks in Belmont Shore. The parade starts at 2:3o pm in Livingston Park. Over 600 dogs participated in last year's event. It should be a treat for the whole family. There will also be a kids costume contest at 4:30pm and a pet adoption fair from 11am to 5pm. For additional information click here.

Boo at the zoo- Santa Ana Zoo

The annual Boo at the Zoo at the Santa Ana Zoo will be held Oct 24-26 from 5:30-8:30 pm. The family friendly costumed event will bring fun and safe trick or treating in a Merry not Scary Zoo atmosphere. There will be trick or treating, costume parade, games, stories and of course animal encounters. It's a must if you live or will be visiting the Orange County area this weekend. Tickets are $10 a person with children 2 and under free. Grandparents will be offered free admission on Oct 24th. For additional info click here This family-friendly costumed extravaganza will bring FUN, SAFE, trick-or-treating in a "Merry not Scary" Zoo atmosphere, with educ ational programs throughout the evening, and a costume parade. This family-friendly costumed extravaganza will bring FUN, SAFE, trick-or-treating in a "Merry not Scary" Zoo atmosphere, with educational programs throughout the evening, and a costume parade.

Boo at the zoo- Los Angeles Zoo

For the next two weeks I will be posting about various Halloween events geared for kids throughout Southern California. Boo at the Zoo is being held at both the Los Angeles Zoo and at the Santa Ana Zoo. The LA Zoo will be hosting it's annual boo at the zoo on Saturday October 25th and Sunday October 26th. Costumes are encouraged and will earn you a dollar off admission. Some of the activities featured will be Animal Stomp and Chomp, trick or treating, Halloween entertainment and Halloween down under. This event is free for members and included in general admission. Hours will be 10 am to 4pm. For additional information click here.

Spooky Fun at the Discovery Science Center

SPOOKY SCIENCE Oct. 4 - Nov. 2 Participate in fun science experiments, enjoy trick-or-treat goodie bags and explore a spooky 3-D maze. It’s a SPOOKtacular good time!

LIVE BATS will be at Discovery Science Center on the following dates:

October 18, 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. Dan Taylor from the International Bat Conservancy will be on the SunStage with live bats! Don't miss this informative and educational program! October 25, 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. Stephanie Stronsick from Batworld.org will be at the SunStage with live bats! November 1, 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. Deborah Crough will be at the SunStage with live bats! Plus, visitors have the opportunity to see rats and mice on weekends from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. during Spooky Science! Meet and greet these furry creatures!

Discovery Science Center, 2500 N. Main Street, Santa Ana, CA 92705 714.542.2823

Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch

Irvine Park Railroad’s 3rd annual pumpkin patch is fun for the entire family! Children and adults are invited to the pumpkin patch which opens daily at 10:00 am through November 2nd. This place is fun the rest of the year, but around Halloween is my children's favorite time.

This year’s pumpkin patch activities include: Train rides, hay rides, a haunted house, a hay maze, pony rides, a moon bounce, face painting (weekends only), picture stands, great food and of course, The Orange County Zoo.

Best of all there’s the pumpkin patch located in Locomotive Loop just behind the train station. Thousands of pumpkins, in all shapes and sizes, fill Locomotive Loop.

Admission into the pumpkin patch is free. Prices for all other activities vary. Visit http://www.irvineparkrailroad.com/ for additional information and costs.

Children ages 12 and under can wear their Halloween costume to Irvine Park Railroad on Saturday, October 25th. Every child that wears a costume on that day will receive a free goodie bag filled with Irvine Park Railroad giveaways.

The Irvine Park Railroad pumpkin patch is open daily from September 20th through November 2nd. Hours of operation are as follows:

Weekdays 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Weekends 10:00 am – 6:00 pm

The parking fee for Irvine Regional Park is $3.00 per vehicle on weekdays and $5.00 per vehicle on weekends.

Chapman Avenue at Jamboree Boulevard, 92869 google map yahoo map

Mickey's Trick or Treat Party - 2008

Summer is pretty much over and that means one thing in our family- Halloween is just around the corner. It also means Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort. This year, the newly named "Mickey's Trick or Treat Party" will be held at Disney's California Adventure. I've attended the event for the past two years with my kiddos and we've had a great time. "Mickey's Trick or Treat Party" is a special ticketed event at Disney's California Adventure . You and your family are encouraged to dress up ad enjoy the special decorations, dance stations (which had to be the biggest hit of the night with my kids), yummie trick or treat stations, character greets(my daughter Lauren's dream came true last year when she met Cinderella), and of course your favorite California Adventure rides. It really is a great event. "Mickey's Trick or Treat Party" will be held on October 3, 10, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 30, and 31. If you are planning to attend make sure to buy your tickets as soon as possible. Tickets sell out fast!! Advance tickets, on sale now are $29. The Friday nights always sell out quickly as well as the dates closer to Halloween. Costumes are permitted, but not masks.

Passholder discount is available for the following dates: October 3, 16, 22, 23, 28, 29

There is no discount available for the October 31 event. All tickets for that date are $37.

Tickets available on-line at http://www.disneyland.com/tickets Or by calling 714-781-4400 $3.00 shipping charge

Discounted tickets available to Annual Passholders on Disneyland's Annual Passholder web site: http://www.disneyland.com/ap

No charge for kids age two and under. Limit of 8 tickets per event.

Mickey's Halloween Treat

This October, Disney's California Adventure held it's third year of Mickey's Halloween Treat, a special ticketed event. The park adds additional decoration, special entertainment and trick or treat station throughout DCA.

In the Sun Plaza, there is a giant candy corn and a dj playing music that you can dance to on a dance floor just in front of him.

There are also several meet and greet photo locations.Our daughter's dream came true as she was able to meet Cinderella, who took her hand and walked with her.


This event invariably sells out every single year. Tickets go on sale in the summer and are usually sold out by the end of September. It is an excellent event for young children but children of all ages are encouraged to wear their Halloween costume to the park. It runs for four hours either from 6:30 to 10:30 or 7:30 to 11:30 PM depending on the night of the week. Even though the remaining dates are sold out, you can check ebay for available tickets.

Have a safe and Happy Halloween!